Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be

Harris offers a fictionalized story about the genesis of this carol. The song’s author, James L. Pierpont, likely wrote it while working as a minister in Savannah, Ga. The author sets the book during a “sweltering” November in the 1850s; in an early scene that gives the story additional historical depth, Pierpont explains to his daughter that a brick hurled through their church window was likely done because the congregation includes four former slaves. The heat inspires Pierpont to write the song, which is performed by a children’s choir at a concert. Gustavson’s period oil paintings are impressively realistic and emotive, effectively capturing the minister’s passion. Ages 6–10. (Oct.)